Administration of alpha-lipoic acid protects organ injury in mice following cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis

Title : Administration of alpha-lipoic acid protects organ injury in mice following cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis

Abstract:

Introduction: Sepsis is defined as a serious, life-threatening complication that results in organ dysfunction due to dysregulation of the host’s immune response to an infection. Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death, which usually affects about 30 million people annually. At present, treatment of this serious condition remains elusive. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an essential organosulfur compound with a wide range of therapeutic applications, particularly in conditions involving inflammation and oxidative stress.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of ALA in cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis in a mouse model.

Material & methods: ALA (100mg/kg) was administered in mice by intraperitoneal injection. One hour after ALA administration, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Eight hours after sepsis induction, mice were euthanized, and the liver and lungs were collected. These tissues were processed to evaluate the levels of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase activity. Body weight measurement and physical condition observations were made to assess the general condition of the animals.

Results: ALA treatment significantly improved body weight and physical condition of mice in comparison to untreated mice following sepsis. Cecal ligation and puncture markedly increased the liver and lung levels of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, malondialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase activity. Treatment with ALA has significantly attenuated the increases in these levels.

Conclusion: Together, these findings support the potential of ALA as a therapeutic agent for the management of sepsis and sepsis-related organ injury. The results suggest that ALA protects against sepsis by acting as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent.

Biography:

Aqsa Shahid is a PhD scholar in Pathology and Biomedical Science at the University of Otago, Christchurch, focusing on inflammatory diseases and novel therapeutic strategies. Her doctoral research focuses on elucidating inflammatory pathways and therapeutic targets in sepsis, with recent publications addressing oxidative stress, hydrogen sulfide signaling, and gut microbiota in inflammatory diseases. She has completed her MPhil in Microbiology with distinction. She has published extensively in international journals and contributed multiple book chapters on antibiotic resistance, therapeutic microbiology, and nanotechnology-based interventions. She is a recipient of the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship and an active contributor to international research forums.